Homeless Boy Abducted From School

Grandmother Took 10-year-old, Police Say

NEW BRITAIN — A 10-year-old boy living in a shelter for the homeless with his paternal grandmother was abducted this week by his maternal grandmother, police said Friday.

Christopher Green disappeared Monday after walking out of Lincoln School with Jymme Hood, with whom he lived until three years ago, police said.

``They allowed her to walk in, snatch him up and they didn't ask any questions,'' Linda Stokes, Christopher's paternal grandmother and guardian, said of school staff.

Now, police are searching for Christopher and Hood, but say they have little idea where they might be.

Stokes, also guardian to Christopher's two brothers, said Hood called her this week but did not say where she and Christopher were.

According to police, Hood showed up unexpectedly at the school, where the boy had been a student since December, and took him without permission and with school staff looking on.

Stokes said Hood raised Christopher when his mother was sent to jail in New York. But three years ago his mother sent him to live with her, she said. In December, Stokes moved from Ohio to New Britain, where they lived at the Friendship Center.

Stokes said she moved to New Britain so she could help care for her own mother, who has since moved into a nursing home.

Hood, 56, has led a nomadic life, said police Det. Harold Gannon. The most recent address police have for her is in Birmingham, Ala. Police say Hood has also lived in California, Detroit, Ohio and Hartford.

``We don't think they're in the state now, but we really don't know where they are,'' said Det. Tracy Baden, the case investigator.

School officials said Hood walked into the school's cafeteria where Christopher was having lunch. After talking for a few minutes the two left together. Christopher left behind his books and coat, but school staff members who saw them leave did not stop them, police said.

A cafeteria supervisor saw the pair leaving, became concerned and alerted school administrators, who called police. But by then, the two had vanished.

Assistant Superintendent Ronald Jakubowski said staff should have asked Hood if she had permission to take the child.

Jakubowski said anyone who wants to take a child out of school, including parents and relatives, must report to the school's office. The child is then escorted from class to the office and given permission to leave, he said.

``People think child abductions are spectacular when they happen, but that's not the case,'' Jakubowski said. ``They're subtle, like this was. School procedures were not followed, but because of how this happened disciplinary measures are not planned.''

Jakubowksi said school staff may not have been alarmed because the boy appeared to know Hood and the students were leaving the building for recess.